Drake Theatre to showcase student-produced short plays

The Drake University Department of Theatre Arts will present a student theatre production showcase featuring three student-produced short plays in one performance Oct. 26–28 in the William S.E. Coleman Studio Theatre of the Harmon Fine Arts Center. Performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28.

This year’s plays include Vices, written and directed by Melody DeRogatis, Hello Darkness my old friend, directed by Zach Nachtigal and written by Sue Wilding, and Stood Up, directed by Michael Barreca and written by Maria Gnoza.

Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, and $4 for students, faculty, and staff with a Drake ID. Tickets are available online, in person, or by telephone at the Fine Arts Box Office, 2525 Carpenter Ave., 515-271-3841.

Melody DeRogatis, writer and director of Vices, is a fine arts senior double majoring in musical theatre and writing. She has enjoyed seeing her original piece of theatre come to life.

“It’s been really cool to see things from the other side of the table and to orchestrate what takes place on stage rather than being on it myself,” DeRogatis said. “My favorite part of the process is seeing my actors bring the characters I wrote to life in ways I never could have expected.”

Maria Gnoza, writer and cast member of Stood Up, is a fine arts sophomore majoring in directing. She is interested in how the audience will respond to parts of her original work.

“I’m most excited to see people react to the taboo parts of the script,” Gnoza said. “I feel like a lot of the theatre community is used to that, but I think it’ll be interesting to see other people react to those moments.”

He is excited to be able to show an audience all of the hard work put into the show.

“Everyone has put forth such a good effort,” Barreca said. “I hope people see that even though there can be bad things and sad events that happen to people, there are still light-hearted moments in their lives. There is still comedy within it.”